Overview
- The Nyx capsule plunged into the Pacific on June 24 when its parachutes failed to deploy, leaving no parts or ashes recoverable
- The mission carried ashes of 166 people alongside cannabis seeds intended for the Martian Grow Project microgravity study
- The Exploration Company and partner Celestis apologized to families and termed the mission a “partial success” for its orbital achievements
- A root-cause investigation is focusing on the decision to delay full parachute drop tests in the startup’s accelerated development timeline
- Both companies plan to apply technical lessons from the failure to redesign and re-fly an improved recoverable return capsule